Best fix for this fiberglass crack

[sjohnnycu]

I just bought a 06 yamaha sx210. Looks like the previous owner hit a dock hard in 2 spots. One doesn't look bad but the other I can tell the top layer of fiberglass is cracked. What's the best way to fix it? I have a buddy that repairs fiberglass but he mentioned painting instead of using gelcoat. I'm removing the stickers and will wrap it but I want it to look good if I decide to take the wrap off at any point.

 

[haknslash]

Look for damage behind the gelcoat. Could be some damage to the FRP (fiber reinforced plastic) hull. Your buddy is wrong you would use gelcoat not paint on a boat but I suspect you may have bigger issues that lie underneath. Looks like a hard hit.

 

[mrcleanr6]

the glass is definitely cracked under that. if your buddy does glass work then he should know how to fix it. yamaha boats are are gelcoat, waverunners are paint so like hak said, you would fix with gel not paint.

 

[Canuckjetboater]

I just bought a 06 yamaha sx210. Looks like the previous owner hit a dock hard in 2 spots. One doesn't look bad but the other I can tell the top layer of fiberglass is cracked. What's the best way to fix it?

@sjohnnycu ..... IMO that is some moderate damage you have there and to avoid water being drawn into your hull areas resulting in de-lamination and serious repairs you need to repair this and do so properly. This is NOT a matter of cosmetic repair before a wrap - some of these areas will have to be ground-out, washed with acetone, repaired - quite probably with a fiberglass patch - then surface finish filler, compounded, faired, washed with acetone again then primed and gel coat sprayed. Nothing an experienced glass guy can't handle or you, if you have done this before, but something that should IMO be taken quite seriously.

 

[captras]

OUCH! Don't waste your time on quick, cheap fixes. That's a job for a professional. It won't be cheap. Hope you got a good deal on the boat. Best of luck and let us all know how it goes.

 

[tdonoughue]

I am usually a big advocate for DIY, but I agree with what the others have said, especially @captras . You definitely have the glass impacted--maybe all the way through. if all the way through, that all needs to be ground out so you only have non-impacted glass remaining. If you have gone all the way through, that means you will have a nice hole where your hull used to be. That should be laid up from the inside first with fresh glass and the right epoxy and then from the outside to the original level of the glass. Then it needs gelcoat over top of that.

And you have that chine in the way (where it turns 90 deg and then 90 again), which will be a special challenge.

Take that one to a pro.